Corpus Christi R. C. Church Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corpus Christi (Church) |
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| Location | 199 Clark Street, Buffalo, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | Corpus Christi Church |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 1898 |
| Founder(s) | Hyacinth Fudzinski |
| Dedicated | 1907 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | "Active" |
| Completed | June 13, 1909 (church) |
| Construction cost | US$200 thousand |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,650 |
| Length | 170 feet (51.8 m) |
| Width | 90 feet (27.4 m) |
| Materials | Onondaga limestone faced with Medina sandstone |
The Corpus Christi R.C. Church Complex is a group of buildings in Buffalo, New York, on the city's historic East Side. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. This complex includes the Kolbe Center, Sears Street Hall, a Rectory (where priests live), a Convent (where nuns lived), and a very large sandstone church. This church stands tall over the whole neighborhood. The school that was once part of the complex closed in 1982 and was later taken down.
A Look Back in Time
Corpus Christi was the seventh Polish church community, called a parish, to be started in Buffalo. It was founded by Father Hyacinth Fudzinski in 1898. He was a Franciscan friar from Czarnków, Poland. The church was built to help meet the religious needs of the growing Polish community in the East Side area.
In the early 1900s, many immigrants moved into the neighborhood. This caused the church community to grow a lot. However, over the last 30 years, the church has faced challenges, much like other churches in big cities across America. As families moved away to the suburbs, fewer people attended masses. Because of this, the church's school closed in the early 1980s.
About the Church Building
The main church building was finished in 1907. Its impressive front is made from Hummelstown brownstone. This stone was dug up from the ground in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
The church has three large bells, all located in the north tower. The biggest bell was made in 1898. The two smaller bells were added in 1948. All of them were made by the Meneely Bell Foundry in Troy, New York. Before the crosses were placed on top of the towers, they were filled with letters written by the children from the parish school. The original windows of the church were beautiful Munich-style stained glass made by Franz Mayer works in Munich, Germany.
Corpus Christi Today
In June 2003, the Franciscan Friars, who had been leading the church, decided they could no longer manage it. This was due to various challenges. After this announcement, a group called "The Friends of Corpus Christi" was formed. They worked to find another religious order to take care of the church and its community.
Their search was successful! The Pauline Fathers agreed to take over the church property. They promised to continue the church's rich history and traditions. Today, the Paulines have two priests and one brother who serve the parish community. Father Anselm Chalupka is the current Pastor.
The entire Corpus Christi Complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
Gallery
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Side view of the church
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The former convent building
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The rectory building
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A plaque showing the church's historic status
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The church sign
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Inside the Corpus Christi Church
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Scaffolding during renovations in May 2011
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Front view of the church
